THE strength of Albion's automatic promotion challenge was demonstrated against Aston Villa not so much by coming back for a draw.
Or by stretching their unbeaten Championship run to 11 matches against a side sure to be in the shake-up themselves by the end of the season.
Or by having a 20-goal striker to spearhead the charge - Glenn Murray is halfway to that total already with another 29 games to go.
It was emphasised by the situation one member of the squad who was nowhere near the Amex pitch finds himself in now.
Kazenga LuaLua, once he has regained full fitness, will be struggling for a place on the bench, yet alone the starting line-up.
It has never been like this before in the explosive winger's six years at the club. In fact, turn the clock back only 15 months and LuaLua was Chris Hughton's star turn.
The former Newcastle flyer was on fire at the start of last season as Hughton sought to transform Albion from relegation candidates back into promotion contenders once again.
LuaLua was scoring goals, creating goals. Albion were on top of the table and he was top dog, named Championship player of the month.
Then the injury troubles that have intermittently plagued him throughout his Albion career returned.
During the recovery periods of a key game-changer, Albion have changed as well. Their transfer business in the last two windows has yielded a squad with quality strength in depth.
To the point where LuaLua could be available for loan when the next window opens in January.
Nowhere is the competition fiercer than in his position. January signings Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak have established themselves as Hughton's first choice preferences down the flanks.
The embarrassment of riches for the manager left Jamie Murphy reflecting on his misfortune against Villa, restricted to the bench after scoring and starring in the preceding victory at Bristol City which Knockaert missed following the death of his father.
Against Villa, Solly March was in the squad for a home game for the first time in a year after cruciate knee ligament damage. As is stands, LuaLua is fifth in the pecking order.
Fortunes, as the plights of LuaLua and March in the past year illustrate, can fluctutate rapidly, particularly in an environment as unforgiving and relentless as the Championship.
It will, however, require an unlikely set of circumstances for Lua Lua to force his way back into Hughton's starting eleven any time soon.
LuaLua is not, by any means, alone. Not when you consider a team not involved against Villa that Hughton could field.
Niki Maenpaa has performed competently between the posts in the rare opportunities he has been given in place of David Stockdale.
The dexterity of Liam Rosenior in the full-back berths, and as a midfield option, has been denied to Hughton by ankle damage since August.
Seb Pocognoli has been unable to dislodge Gaetan Bong from the left side of the defence since signing on loan from West Brom.
Connor Goldson performed admirably at centre-half once he had a run in the team in the latter half of last season. Likewise prior to that Uwe Huenemeier before the German was struck down by a severe groin injury.
In the centre of the park, the influential Beram Kayal's absence since September with an ankle injury has been camouflaged by the form of Steve Sidwell.
Dale Stephens, free from transfer distractions and niggles, has re-asserted. Oliver Norwood, signed in the summer together with the permanent recapture of Sidwell, was only required in the closing stages against Villa.
March and Murphy are a potent back-up wing pairing. Tomer Hemed, top scorer last season with 17 goals lest we forget, has not started a game since the end of September because of the flourishing partnership between Murray and Sam Baldock.
A fourth choice alternative at the top of the pitch highlights the one weakness. Hughton, for his 'reserve' eleven, would have to choose between errant Dutchman Elvis Manu or, alternatively, injury-ravaged Irishman Richie Towell in a number ten role.
Having missed out on filling the striker gap in August, Albion will surely do so in January.
They are already being linked, along with a cluster of Championship rivals, with Watford's 20-year-old ex-Liverpool prospect Jerome Sinclair.
The second X1 includes five senior internationals in Maenpaa (Finland), Pocognoli (Belgium), Norwood (Northern Ireland), Kayal and Hemed (Israel).
Rosenior and Huenemeier between them have a wealth of Premier League and Bundesliga experience, Goldson and March transparent top flight potential.
Even with the array of choices, Hughton would still be left with Christian Walton (loaned to Luton), Rob Hunt, Tom Dallison (loaned to Cambridge United), Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey (loaned to Rotherham), Chris O'Grady (loaned to Burton) and Jordan Maguire-Drew (loaned to Dagenham) as substitutes.
Albion are equipped to sustain their challenge. The names not on the teamsheet against Villa prove that.
Albion Alternative X1 v Villa: Maenpaa; Rosenior, Goldson, Huenemeier, Pocognoli; March, Kayal, Norwood, Murphy; Manu (or Towell), Hemed.
Original article
Or by stretching their unbeaten Championship run to 11 matches against a side sure to be in the shake-up themselves by the end of the season.
Or by having a 20-goal striker to spearhead the charge - Glenn Murray is halfway to that total already with another 29 games to go.
It was emphasised by the situation one member of the squad who was nowhere near the Amex pitch finds himself in now.
Kazenga LuaLua, once he has regained full fitness, will be struggling for a place on the bench, yet alone the starting line-up.
It has never been like this before in the explosive winger's six years at the club. In fact, turn the clock back only 15 months and LuaLua was Chris Hughton's star turn.
The former Newcastle flyer was on fire at the start of last season as Hughton sought to transform Albion from relegation candidates back into promotion contenders once again.
LuaLua was scoring goals, creating goals. Albion were on top of the table and he was top dog, named Championship player of the month.
Then the injury troubles that have intermittently plagued him throughout his Albion career returned.
During the recovery periods of a key game-changer, Albion have changed as well. Their transfer business in the last two windows has yielded a squad with quality strength in depth.
To the point where LuaLua could be available for loan when the next window opens in January.
Nowhere is the competition fiercer than in his position. January signings Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak have established themselves as Hughton's first choice preferences down the flanks.
The embarrassment of riches for the manager left Jamie Murphy reflecting on his misfortune against Villa, restricted to the bench after scoring and starring in the preceding victory at Bristol City which Knockaert missed following the death of his father.
Against Villa, Solly March was in the squad for a home game for the first time in a year after cruciate knee ligament damage. As is stands, LuaLua is fifth in the pecking order.
Fortunes, as the plights of LuaLua and March in the past year illustrate, can fluctutate rapidly, particularly in an environment as unforgiving and relentless as the Championship.
It will, however, require an unlikely set of circumstances for Lua Lua to force his way back into Hughton's starting eleven any time soon.
LuaLua is not, by any means, alone. Not when you consider a team not involved against Villa that Hughton could field.
Niki Maenpaa has performed competently between the posts in the rare opportunities he has been given in place of David Stockdale.
The dexterity of Liam Rosenior in the full-back berths, and as a midfield option, has been denied to Hughton by ankle damage since August.
Seb Pocognoli has been unable to dislodge Gaetan Bong from the left side of the defence since signing on loan from West Brom.
Connor Goldson performed admirably at centre-half once he had a run in the team in the latter half of last season. Likewise prior to that Uwe Huenemeier before the German was struck down by a severe groin injury.
In the centre of the park, the influential Beram Kayal's absence since September with an ankle injury has been camouflaged by the form of Steve Sidwell.
Dale Stephens, free from transfer distractions and niggles, has re-asserted. Oliver Norwood, signed in the summer together with the permanent recapture of Sidwell, was only required in the closing stages against Villa.
March and Murphy are a potent back-up wing pairing. Tomer Hemed, top scorer last season with 17 goals lest we forget, has not started a game since the end of September because of the flourishing partnership between Murray and Sam Baldock.
A fourth choice alternative at the top of the pitch highlights the one weakness. Hughton, for his 'reserve' eleven, would have to choose between errant Dutchman Elvis Manu or, alternatively, injury-ravaged Irishman Richie Towell in a number ten role.
Having missed out on filling the striker gap in August, Albion will surely do so in January.
They are already being linked, along with a cluster of Championship rivals, with Watford's 20-year-old ex-Liverpool prospect Jerome Sinclair.
The second X1 includes five senior internationals in Maenpaa (Finland), Pocognoli (Belgium), Norwood (Northern Ireland), Kayal and Hemed (Israel).
Rosenior and Huenemeier between them have a wealth of Premier League and Bundesliga experience, Goldson and March transparent top flight potential.
Even with the array of choices, Hughton would still be left with Christian Walton (loaned to Luton), Rob Hunt, Tom Dallison (loaned to Cambridge United), Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey (loaned to Rotherham), Chris O'Grady (loaned to Burton) and Jordan Maguire-Drew (loaned to Dagenham) as substitutes.
Albion are equipped to sustain their challenge. The names not on the teamsheet against Villa prove that.
Albion Alternative X1 v Villa: Maenpaa; Rosenior, Goldson, Huenemeier, Pocognoli; March, Kayal, Norwood, Murphy; Manu (or Towell), Hemed.
Original article